Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“I’ve been thinking recently…about what is in Erik’s best interest,” Xiao Dan started slowly.
Everything within Junjie froze solid. He couldn’t move, couldn’t even draw a breath. This was the moment. Since Erik had first joined the clan, Junjie had expected Xiao Dan to declare that a clan of vampires had no business raising a shifter child. But Shixiong had put up zero resistance to the idea of keeping Erik. He’d even argued that their clan had a long history of raising children, educating them, and training them in the martial arts of their sect. Erik would be no different because he was a cat shifter and they were vampires.
“Shixiong…” Junjie pleaded, not knowing what words to say. Was it selfish of him to beg for Erik to remain with them if it wasn’t what was best for the child?
“I was thinking that maybe we should send him to China with someone ahead of the rest of the clan.”
Junjie’s relief was so great, he was lightheaded. He swayed on his feet for a second and nearly had to sit before he fell over.
“Junjie?” Xiao Dan demanded, grabbing his elbow when he noticed Junjie wasn’t doing so well.
“I thought you were going to say that we needed to give him up.”
“No! Of course not. He’s been with us for nearly three weeks now, and it’s obvious this is where he belongs. The entire clan loves him too much to give him up.” He released Junjie’s elbow. “I was thinking that maybe you and he should travel to China ahead of the rest of the clan. Take him out of danger and start getting him accustomed to what will be his permanent home. We’ll have the matter of Jiang Chong and the fae settled soon. Then we’ll be headed home. It just makes the most sense that Erik travel ahead of us. I believe Winter said he’d have the paperwork necessary for the boy completed in less than a week.”
The last of Xiao Dan’s words became a messy blur in his ears. His brain was stuck on an earlier part of his speech—that he and Erik leave for China ahead of the clan. Xiao Dan wanted to send him away.
“Why me?” Junjie asked in a low, rough voice.
“I thought it made the most sense. Out of all the members of the clan, Erik is closest to you. He would adjust to the new home and setting most easily with you.”
Junjie didn’t know what to say. His tongue lay like a dead fish in his mouth. The thought of returning home with Erik, showing him the enormous manor and grounds that awaited him, was very appealing. But there were snags to that dream, beginning with him not wanting to leave his clan behind. A fight was coming—a big one—with the fae and Jiang Chong. He needed to be there, to stand with all of them. Part of him wanted to believe that Xiao Dan was trying to get him out of the way, but he knew better. His martial arts skills were as strong as the rest of the clan. He was an excellent fighter. This wasn’t about doubting him.
The other concern was Leo.
Things had shifted between them. Junjie had no regrets about what happened, but he didn’t quite know what came next. He was damn sure it wasn’t stealing Leo and running off to China with him and Erik. But leaving now meant never knowing if there could have been something more between them. Was Leo supposed to be the mate he’d been hoping to find, like Chen, Xiang, and Yichen had found theirs?
He wanted to get to know Leo better. Dreamed of spending time together when they both weren’t afraid of being murdered.
But was it selfish to want to remain behind to find out what kind of future he could have with Leo? Erik needed him.
“Junjie?”
“I don’t know what to say,” he murmured. He stared at the sword sheath in his hand and frowned. “I wish to do what is best for Erik, but I don’t want to leave my clan as they face such dangerous foes. Even with the Variks at your side, you’ll still need me. Have you considered sending Ming Yu to Luoyang with Erik?”
“I have. My concern is that Erik has latched on to you as his central parent.” A smirk twisted Xiao Dan’s lips. “He may call you gege, but his eyes say baba.” He allowed that word to hang in the air, pressing on Junjie’s heart, before he continued. “Erik is comfortable with you, but I worry he will be further traumatized if he doesn’t have you with him while he’s traveling and learning a new place.”
“You are being quite evil, Shixiong,” Junjie grumbled.
“Unless you have another reason for wanting to remain in the United States. Possibly a small, furry reason that loves fish and belly rubs.”